Patents Issued in April 17, 2018
  • Patent number: 9944299
    Abstract: A multi-engine locomotive configuration is disclosed wherein engine outputs to DC traction motors are controlled by connecting the alternators with rectifiers in series for each engine of a multi-engine locomotive. This configuration uses the minimum number of rectifying diodes, eliminates the need for chopper circuits and simplifies the method of controlling the sequencing and output of two or more engines. The approach, which reduces the parasitic power loss by reducing the number of diodes, also enables a simplified means to efficiently manage engine cooling without additional cost and complexity of electrically-driven radiator fans.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: Tractive Power Corporation
    Inventor: Frank Wegner Donnelly
  • Patent number: 9944300
    Abstract: A railcar according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is a railcar with a plastic end cap covering a front surface of a car body in a front car, the railcar including: a wiper shaft configured to attach a wiper blade to an end portion of the wiper shaft and pass through the car body while extending inside and outside the car body; a penetrated portion formed as part of the car body and configured such that the wiper shaft passes through the penetrated portion; and an opening portion formed in the end cap and exposing at least part of the penetrated portion to a car exterior.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: KAWASAKI IUKOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Hirata, Ryosuke Ashida
  • Patent number: 9944301
    Abstract: A railcar deck channel pivoting side wall apparatus and methods of making and using the same are provided. Specifically, the railcar deck channel pivoting side wall apparatus comprises a pivoting side wall arranged within a railcar deck channel to allow for the easy installation and/or removal of chain assemblies on railcar decks for the transport of heavy items thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: Holland, L.P.
    Inventor: John B. Brewster
  • Patent number: 9944302
    Abstract: A handbrake operating linkage for a railroad tank car, in which a hand wheel used to provide tension in the linkage is located on a lateral side of the car body, near an end of the car and at a height permitting a person standing on the ground alongside the tank car to set the handbrake. The hand wheel is located on the car at an end of the car opposite the end at which an airbrake cylinder-and-piston assembly is located, and the linkage extends from an airbrake cylinder lever to the hand wheel by way of a direction-reversing lever and a bell crank, avoiding a requirement for parts of the linkage to pass through direction-changing sheave wheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: Gunderson LLC
    Inventors: Gregory J. Saxton, Kristofer M. Heitmeyer
  • Patent number: 9944303
    Abstract: A support device for releasable connection to an equipment carrier, and for supporting a medical appliance, a medical instrument or another payload, includes an engagement hook for engaging in an opening on an equipment carrier and a bolt for locking a connection between the engagement hook and an opening in which the engagement hook engages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: Karl Storz SE & Co. KG
    Inventors: Alexander Sabo, Andreas Jansche, Anika Guempel, Wolfgang Mueller-Beiter, Rainer Schairer
  • Patent number: 9944304
    Abstract: A cart includes a chassis and attached wheels; an upper basket attached to the chassis; and a lower basket attached to the chassis. In some embodiments, the cart includes no widthwise push bar in a rear of the cart such that access is unobstructed to the upper and lower baskets from the rear of the cart by a person. In some embodiments, the chassis defines on each lateral side of the cart a pair of vertically spaced handles, each handle surrounding and defining an opening. The handles preferably include handle bars shaped in an oval. On each cart side a curved elongate member extends between and connects the handles, and the curved elongate members represent the rearmost part of the cart. The rear area of the upper basket defines a seat for an infant, and a rear ledge of the lower basket defines a seat for a toddler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: ZIBRA, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Milton Sherman, William Lane Ball
  • Patent number: 9944305
    Abstract: A stroller is provided with the ability to removably couple and decouple a seat from the stroller as needed. The stroller can include a stroller frame. The stroller can also include one or more front wheels attached to the stroller frame and one or more rear wheels attached to the stroller frame. The stroller can also include a first seat couple to the stroller frame. The stroller can include first and second seat attachment housings. Each of the seat attachment housings can include a cavity for receiving a corresponding one of the first and second seat attachment adapters. Each of the seat attachment housings can also include a door or cover to prevent access to the respective cavity when not in use. The seat attachment adapters can be coupled to the respective seat attachment housings and a second seat can be coupled to the seat attachment adapters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: BABY JOGGER, LLC
    Inventors: Jon Hee Lee, Megan Roe, Stacy Noel Simpson, Mark Zehfuss
  • Patent number: 9944306
    Abstract: A snowmobile ski runner has a flat ski runner body. The flat ski runner body has a generally uniform width, a front flat wall at a front thereof, and a rear flat wall at a rear thereof. The front and rear flat walls are parallel to each other. A snowmobile ski assembly having the ski runner and a snowmobile having the snowmobile ski assembly are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: BOMBARDIER RECREATIONAL PRODUCTS INC.
    Inventors: Felix-Antoine Laurence, Melanie Desjarlais, Luc DuFort, Bertrand Mallette
  • Patent number: 9944307
    Abstract: A steering assembly includes a steering wheel, a steering gear, and a sensor assembly. The steering wheel is connected to a steering column. The steering gear is selectively coupled to the steering wheel. The sensor assembly is disposed proximate the steering column. The steering wheel is decoupled from the steering gear and sensor assembly detects a condition of the driver and a position of the driver in response to a request to activate an autonomous driving assisted steering system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: STEERING SOLUTIONS IP HOLDING CORPORATION
    Inventors: Frank P. Lubischer, Richard K. Riefe
  • Patent number: 9944308
    Abstract: A steering column for a motor vehicle may include a guide box that accommodates a steering spindle, a bracket for holding the guide box in adjustable fashion on a chassis of the motor vehicle, and a thrust piece through which a clamping shaft extends to fix the guide box relative to the bracket. The thrust piece may be arranged on an outer side of a first side web of the bracket, and the thrust piece may include a dome that extends through a slot of the first side web and serves to generate a force-fitting connection to the guide box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignees: THYSSENKRUPP PRESTA AG, THYSSENKRUPP AG
    Inventors: Hannes Kurz, Markus Bialek, Werner Adelmann, Matthias Nicolussi, Karl Mathias Hehle
  • Patent number: 9944309
    Abstract: A steering column device has a downward U-shaped attachment bracket, an upward U-shaped lower jacket, a polygonal cylindrical mid jacket 3, a polygonal cylindrical upper jacket 4 inserted into the polygonal cylindrical mid jacket 3 and a shock energy absorbing mechanism 26 to absorb a shock energy at the time of a secondary collision. The shock energy absorbing mechanism 26 has a contracting guide part 27 to perform sliding and contracting operation of the upper jacket 4 to the mid jacket 3 separately from an energy absorbing part 28. The contracting guide part 27 is formed by interposing a plurality of linear guides 29 at an overlapping part between the mid jacket 3 and the upper jacket 4, linear guides 29 in which a plurality of bolls 29b arranged in the sliding direction of the mid jacket 3 and the upper jacket 4 are connected to each other through holders 29a.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: FUJI KIKO CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Mitsuyoshi Matsuno, Koji Sawamura, So Tanaka, Tadao Ito
  • Patent number: 9944310
    Abstract: A column jacket includes an outer jacket and an inner jacket that are slidable relative to each other in the axial direction for telescopic adjustment. The inner jacket has an outer peripheral surface fitted to an inner peripheral surface of the outer jacket. A base end of an engaging member is fixed to the inner jacket. The inner peripheral surface of the outer jacket includes a guide groove, and a stopper provided at an end of the guide groove. The stopper restricts disconnection of the inner jacket from the outer jacket when being engaged with the engaging member. The engaging member is engaged with the guide groove, and the guide groove guides axial movement of the inner jacket via the engaging member. The guide groove has a bottom portion that faces a distal end of the engaging member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignees: JTEKT CORPORATION, TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tatsuro Kubota, Yuji Takahashi, Tomonori Sugiura, Shoji Ishimura, Shigeru Hoshino
  • Patent number: 9944311
    Abstract: A steering apparatus includes a steering shaft; a column jacket including an outer jacket including a slit and a pair of fastened portions, and an inner jacket; a fastening mechanism; an engaged tooth formation member including at least one engaged tooth and fixed to the inner jacket; a support shaft including end portions supported by support holes of the fastened portions; a tubular reinforcing member fitted to an outer peripheral surface of the support shaft at a prescribed area between the pair of end portions; and an engaging tooth formation member including an engaging tooth that engages with the engaged tooth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignees: JTEKT CORPORATION, Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tatsuro Kubota, Tomonori Sugiura, Yuji Takahashi, Shoji Ishimura, Shigeru Hoshino
  • Patent number: 9944312
    Abstract: An electronic control unit (50) includes power modules (60A), (60B), an input and output board (70) on which an input connector (71) and an output connector (72) are mounted, and a control board (80). The input and output board (70) and the control board (80) are arranged to vertically face each other. A discrete part (73) that is taller in height (H1), (H2), (H3) than a half (D/2) a distance (D) between the input and output board (70) and the control board (80) is mounted only on a face (70e), of the input and output board (70), facing the control board (80).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: NSK Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshikatsu Inada, Kotaro Tagami, Takaaki Sekine
  • Patent number: 9944313
    Abstract: A steering unit for conveying devices on wheels such as beds, stretchers or trolleys includes a wheel unit and a motor unit. The wheel unit includes a base structure and a wheel mounted on a supporting element to rotate about an axis. The supporting element is mounted on the base structure to rotate about an orientation axis. A transmission includes an inlet unit and outlet shaft. The inlet unit includes an engagement device to reversibly engage the inlet unit on a transmission unit of the motor unit. The outlet shaft is integral with the supporting element and defines the orientation axis. The transmission transforms an inlet motion of the inlet unit into an outlet rotation of the outlet shaft about the orientation axis. A motor includes a complementary engagement device operating with the engagement device for reversibly engaging the inlet unit on the transmission unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Inventors: Luca Raspanti, Mauro Morotti
  • Patent number: 9944314
    Abstract: A steering assist system for a vehicle comprises a steering assist module configured to determine a baseline assistance force to be applied to a steering system of the vehicle, and a transient disturbance compensation module configured to determine a transient compensation force to compensate for transient conditions that urge the vehicle to deviate from a straight path. The transient compensation force is based at least partially on the determined baseline assistance force. The system also includes a steady-state disturbance compensation module configured to determine a steady-state compensation force to compensate for steady-state conditions that urge the vehicle to deviate from the straight path, the steady-state compensation force being based at least partially on the determined baseline assistance force. Methods relate to controlling steering systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Joseph M. Raad, Sergio Trimboli
  • Patent number: 9944315
    Abstract: Enclosed are an apparatus and a method for controlling steering return of a motor driven power steering system. More particularly, various embodiments of the present disclosure relate to an apparatus and method for controlling steering return of a motor driven power steering system, which enables an overshoot-free center stop to be made as well as enables a quick return to be made, when returning after steering by a large steering angle in the motor driven power steering system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: HYUNDAI MOBIS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kyoung Soo Lim, Lyoung Tae Kim
  • Patent number: 9944316
    Abstract: Vehicle control systems that can be used, for example, to configure a vehicle (e.g., a lawn tractor or riding lawn mower) to make low- to substantially zero-radius turns. Some of the present vehicle control systems utilize at least one steered wheel position sensor to generate a signal that indicates the actual position of the steerable structure (e.g., wheel) to which the sensor is coupled, rather than a projected or anticipated position of that steerable structure. Vehicles that include such control systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: MTD Products Inc
    Inventors: Michael Goebel, Derek Kaesgen
  • Patent number: 9944317
    Abstract: A driver assistance apparatus includes at least one camera configured to generate images of a view in front of a vehicle, and a processor. The processor is configured to detect an object present in a traveling lane of the vehicle based on the generated images, and to provide a steering apparatus of the vehicle with a control signal to adjust a direction of travel of the vehicle within the traveling lane based on information regarding the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Jinkyo Lee
  • Patent number: 9944318
    Abstract: A rear-wheel steering system suitable for use on an automated vehicle includes an object-detector, and actuator, and a controller. The object-detector is used to detect an object proximate to a host-vehicle. The actuator is used to adjust a rear-steering-angle of rear-wheels of the host-vehicle. The controller is in communication with the object-detector and the actuator. The controller is configured to determine a location of the object relative to the host-vehicle based on information from the object-detector, and operate the actuator to avoid the object when the host-vehicle moves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: DELPHI TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Brian R. Hilnbrand, Ludong Sun
  • Patent number: 9944319
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a motor vehicle system, the system being operable to provide that provides a visual indication of the position relative to the vehicle of one or more obstacles that lie in the vicinity of the vehicle, predicts a path of a vehicle by reference to a position of a steering wheel or steerable road wheel of the vehicle, and determines whether any obstacles in the vicinity of the vehicle lie in the predicted path by reference to data regarding the location of such obstacles. If the system determines that one or more obstacles lie in the predicted path the system provides an audible indication of a distance any such obstacles from the vehicle according to a distance from the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: Jaguar Land Rover Limited
    Inventors: Diana Franganillo, Steven Clugston, Kevin Cockings
  • Patent number: 9944320
    Abstract: A vehicle including: left and right bottom frames, extending in a front-rear direction, supporting a floor plate; a rear-gear support; a bottom rear frame coupling rear ends of the bottom frames, extending in a width direction, to which the rear-gear support is welded; left and right upper frames, extending in the front-rear direction, supporting a cargo bed; a rear lateral frame, coupling rear ends of the upper frames extending in the width direction; left and right rear vertical frames, extending in a top-bottom direction, coupling the upper frames and the bottom rear frames; left and right rear L-shape frames, extending in the front-rear direction and the width direction, coupling the rear vertical frames and the rear lateral frame; and left and right arm supports, supporting rear-wheel support arms, and having upper ends coupled to the rear L shape frames and lower ends coupled to the rear gear support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: KAWASAKI JUKOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yoshinori Tsumiyama, Teruaki Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 9944321
    Abstract: The invention relates to a front axle support for a motor vehicle, including side members and a crossmember interconnecting the side members, the crossmember being in the form of a hollow body and being provided with at least one attachment device for attaching a steering system housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: Autotech Engineering Deutschland GmbH
    Inventor: Kai Haselhorst
  • Patent number: 9944322
    Abstract: A subframe for a vehicle includes a subframe structure and a rear end joint. The rear end joint is formed on the subframe structure for attachment to a floor via a bolt. The rear end joint defines a notch, having a collar surrounding the bolt. The rear end joint is configured such that, upon impact, the rear end joint interacts with the bolt to break the collar, split the notch, and detach the subframe structure from the floor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Mohamed Ridha Baccouche, Saied Nusier, David Anthony Wagner, Matthew John Zaluzec
  • Patent number: 9944323
    Abstract: A strengthening member for a motor vehicle and a vehicle including a strengthening member are provided. The strengthening member can have a cross-section that has twenty-four corners and includes sides and corners creating sixteen internal angles and eight external angles. The vehicle may include a strengthening member that has twenty-four corners and includes sides and corners creating sixteen internal angles and eight external angles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Tau Tyan, Yu-Kan Hu, Leonard Anthony Shaner
  • Patent number: 9944324
    Abstract: The present invention provides a vehicle frame structure including: a pair of right and left side rails; a cross member that bridges the side rails in the vehicle width direction; a bumper reinforcement that is placed on the front side of the side rails; load bearing portions that are disposed at vehicle width direction outer side surfaces of the side rails; curved portions that are disposed in the bumper reinforcement, curve toward the vehicle rear side heading outward in the vehicle width direction in sections of the bumper reinforcement at the vehicle width direction outer sides of the side rails; and projecting portions that are secured to rear surfaces of the curved portions of the bumper reinforcement, that project toward the vehicle rear side, that are placed with gaps between them and the load bearing portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Tetsuya Asai
  • Patent number: 9944325
    Abstract: We improve still further the crashworthiness of a tubular-frame chassis by providing a means for absorbing lower-energy impacts without deforming the tubular steel frame, The vehicle comprises a chassis structure including a load-bearing tubular chassis member extending longitudinally within the vehicle, at least one crush structure located laterally outside of the chassis member, the crush structure having an upper and a lower extent that overlap with an upper and lower extent of the chassis member. In this way, the crush structure is able to interact with the chassis member, transferring impact forces to the chassis member and thereby reducing the necessary size (and weight) of the crush structure. The crush structure is preferably removable, to allow replacement after an impact. Alternatively, the crush structure part of a door of the vehicle, positioned as necessary when the door is closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: Gordon Murray Design Limited
    Inventor: Ian Gordon Murray
  • Patent number: 9944326
    Abstract: A vehicle body side portion structure includes a side sill that, at a side portion of a vehicle body, extends in a front-rear direction of the vehicle body; a rear side floor panel that is joined to a rear portion of a floor panel of the vehicle body and extends towards a rear of the vehicle body, and that extends in a vehicle width direction and is joined to the side sill; and a rear middle floor panel that is provided at an inner side of the rear side floor panel in the vehicle width direction and covers an energy storage. A vertical wall portion is provided at an outer side of the rear middle floor panel in the vehicle width direction. The rear side floor panel is joined to an outer side of the vertical wall portion in the vehicle width direction and includes a weakened portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Chihiro Sakurada
  • Patent number: 9944327
    Abstract: A utility vehicle includes a vehicle body frame, a pair of right and left front wheels and a pair of right and left rear wheels. The vehicle body frame has, at a bottom thereof, a bottom main frame extending in an anteroposterior direction and provided with a frame front portion located between the front wheels, a frame rear portion located between the rear wheels, and a frame intermediate portion located between the frame front portion and the frame rear portion and extending in the anteroposterior direction. In a vehicle side view, the bottom main frame has a frame highest portion in the frame intermediate portion, which has a highest ground level in the bottom main frame, and the bottom main frame has a ground level gradually increasing from the frame front portion and the frame rear portion toward the frame highest portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: KAWASAKI JUKOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kazumasa Hisada, Gary Bozych, Nobuyuki Nishiguchi, Takeru Ohshima, Yusuke Nakashima
  • Patent number: 9944328
    Abstract: An All-Terrain Vehicle with a frame comprising an arcuate shape. In one embodiment, the arcuate shape with an apex is located between a rear axis and a front axis such that there is additional clearance over a typical non arcuate frame or a flat frame for a given ride height. The frame may also provide for additional structural strength. The frame may also include the ability to attach periphery accessories such as an engine cage, a passenger cage, trailing arms, power train and transmission. In other embodiments the arcuate shape may be on a passenger compartment and the arcuate shape may be integrated with a window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Inventor: Stephen Kariniemi
  • Patent number: 9944329
    Abstract: A structural reinforcement member for a vehicle body includes a bracket sized for mounting to a roof rail, spanning along the roof rail from a first pillar past a second pillar, and including a first support member extending inboard at a first roof bow. The bracket and the first roof bow are arranged such that the first support member transfers a load applied to the vehicle body to the first roof bow. The first support member may be shaped to conform to a shape of an end of the first roof bow that the first support member is secured thereto. A second roof bow may extend from the roof rail and the bracket may further include a second support member extending inboard at the second roof bow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Jaspinder S. Sahi
  • Patent number: 9944330
    Abstract: An upper face portion of a suspension tower portion of a vehicle comprises an fastening face portion where plural fastening portions to which an upper-side attached portion of a suspension is fixedly fastened are provided and a top face portion which is provided at a higher level than the fastening face portion so as to face the upper-side attached portion of the suspension, the top face portion being connected to a central portion of the fastening face portion via a vertical wall portion. An inner-peripheral-side rib is provided on an inner-peripheral side of the vertical wall portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Miho Kowaki, Sakayu Terada, Ryotaro Hirata
  • Patent number: 9944331
    Abstract: A hood for a vehicle includes an inner panel having a deformation region on at least a portion of the inner panel. The deformation region defining a plurality of perforations configured to tear at an area between the perforations. The perforations being defined in an array constituting at least a partial outer periphery of the deformation region such that upon impact, the deformation region is configured to break along the outer periphery at the area between the perforations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Keith Weston
  • Patent number: 9944332
    Abstract: A joining method for forming a joint structure of different materials includes steps of: providing a steel member and a light metal member stacked on each other and to be joined together by friction stir welding in a non-melted state; applying a coating to the steel member; and joining the steel member and the light metal member together by rotatingly pushing a rotation tool into a joint portion of the light metal member with the steel member, generating friction heat and having the joint portion of the light metal member softened and plastically flow under the friction heat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shosuke Ohhama, Tetsuya Miyahara
  • Patent number: 9944333
    Abstract: A pickup-truck box includes a pair of opposing sidewalls each having a first latching component. A tailgate is attached between the sidewalls and includes an outer panel, an inner panel, and opposing side panels each facing one of the sidewalls and interconnecting the inner and outer panels to define a body defining an interior space. A pair of hinges pivotally attach the tailgate to the sidewalls such that the tailgate is pivotal about the hinges between an open position and a closed position. A pair of second latching components are engageable with a corresponding one of the first latching components to hold the tailgate closed. A storage compartment is disposed in the interior space and defines a cargo area accessible through the opening defined in one of the side panels. A corresponding one of the sidewalls blocks access to the opening when the tailgate is in the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Dragan B. Stojkovic, Joshua Robert Hemphill, Jack Marchlewski
  • Patent number: 9944334
    Abstract: A wall system for a cargo container is provided. The wall system includes a plurality of panels that are configured to be fixed to logistics posts in a cargo compartment. Each panel includes a central portion and right and left end portions that are disposed on respective outboard sides of the central portion, the central portion includes a planar wall surface, the right and left end portions each include a planar wall surface. The central portion comprises two or more recessed portions that extend inwardly from the planar wall surface to define an elongate void that is configured to receive an elongate track therein, such that an outer surface of the elongate track, when disposed within the recessed portion, is co-planar with the planar wall surface of the central portion or disposed within the recessed portion and recessed behind the planar wall surface of the central portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: Ancra International LLC
    Inventor: Gregory Alan Kauffman
  • Patent number: 9944335
    Abstract: A multi-airfoil element wing includes a central single-airfoil element and an outer dual-airfoil element positioned outboard of each side of the central single-airfoil element. The single-piece member defines aerodynamic surfaces of the central airfoil element and both of the outer dual-airfoil elements. The single-piece member includes a carbon fiber resin hollow body forming at least a portion of the central single-airfoil element and of both outer dual-airfoil elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: FCA US LLC
    Inventors: Michael M. Shinedling, Sriram S. Pakkam, Arturo Guzman-Magana
  • Patent number: 9944336
    Abstract: A part installation machine, when having entered a part installation work area, operates a separation/coupling device to bring a drive carriage section and a part mounting carriage section from a coupled state into a separated state. The part installation machine also operates an engagement device such that the part mounting carriage section is engaged with a transfer system and transported by the transfer system. In this state, the part installation machine controls a travelling speed of the drive carriage section such that a relative position detected by a relative position detection device is maintained within a predetermined range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masaki Ogawa, Shimpei Nagata, YingChuan Chen, Akira Okamoto, Masato Nishimura, Akira Sekiraku, Naruyuki Suzuki, Masaru Tanaka, Katsuhiro Yamada, Takayuki Kamimoto, Tatsuyoshi Nishihara, Shouji Kusuda
  • Patent number: 9944337
    Abstract: A saddle adjustment assembly comprising an adjustable height saddle post, the adjustable height saddle post comprising a first support and a second support, the second support configured to slidably move relative to the first support between at least a raised position and a lowered position, the first support configured to attach to a bicycle frame; a saddle angle adjustment mechanism coupled to the second support, the saddle angle adjustment mechanism comprising a rotatably coupled saddle support configured to couple to a bicycle saddle; wherein the saddle angle adjustment mechanism is configured to enable rotation of the saddle support relative to the second support as a result of the first support moving relative to the second support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: SPECIALIZED BICYCLE COMPONENTS, INC.
    Inventors: Michael McAndrews, Ron Powers, Brandon D. Sloan, Jeffrey Keith Bowers, Ian Thomas McPherson
  • Patent number: 9944338
    Abstract: A collapsible electric scooter, including a base frame enclosing an electric power source, a front assembly rotatably secured to the base frame, where the front assembly includes at least one motorized wheel secured to a front riser with a handle bar, a seat assembly removably secured to the base frame; and a rear assembly rotatably secured to at least one axle of the base frame, where the rear assembly includes at least one rear wheel and at least one rear axle support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Inventor: Mayer Behar
  • Patent number: 9944339
    Abstract: An internally illuminated frame for a bicycle or alternatively, a complete bicycle is disclosed. The bicycle comprises at least one frame tube made from a translucent material and containing individually illuminable lighting elements. The complete bicycle includes a controller operable to control individual ones of the lighting elements, a battery, brake lights, a head piece including a display screen, a user interface, an audio speaker, and optionally, forward facing lighting elements. The controller is programmable to control the lighting elements and the audio speaker from stored programming. Programming may be provided wirelessly or by hard wired connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Inventor: Wayne Gerard Poole
  • Patent number: 9944340
    Abstract: To provide a LED headlight structure that visually conveys a modern or stylish appearance to an observer, the LED headlight structure is characterized in that: a headlight PCB(260) low beam and high beam headlight LED structures on at least one side of the motorcycle are mounted to one plate or in one plane such that high beam illumination is emitted at the inside of the motorcycle and low beam illumination is emitted at the outside of the motorcycle; an extension member (120) is positioned forward of the reflector assembly (140) and between a headlight case (104) and a headlight lens (102); and a window structure (122) configured for selectively passing portions of the low and the high beam illumination reflected by the reflector assembly is formed at the extension member (120).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Sohnthaya Kheawhorm, Teppei Matsuzaki
  • Patent number: 9944341
    Abstract: Lateral sides of an engine and a fuel tank are covered with a tank cowling formed by connecting a front cowling and a rear cowling. The front cowling is provided with a flange in which a through hole is formed. The long sides of the through hole are formed in parallel with a cylinder axis of a cylinder section. A gate provided on a lower connecting edge portion of the rear cowling with which the flange overlaps is inserted into the through hole and connected by the clip. The front cowling and the rear cowling are fastened through a bolt on a vehicle body side above and below the connecting section by the clip. With this structure, the force applied to the connecting section is reduced and the connecting section is decreased in size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignees: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD., NIFCO INC.
    Inventors: Yusuke Inoue, Toshinori Nakano, Kenichi Misaki, Hayato Takei, Akihiro Kawabata, Hajime Naoi
  • Patent number: 9944342
    Abstract: A straddle-type vehicle capable of restricting input of a load from a fastening member, which joins multiple tank covers to each other, to the surface of a fuel tank. A fastening member designed to join a first tank cover and a second tank cover together is disposed to face the surface of a fuel tank and at least one of the first tank cover. The second tank cover has a convex portion facing the surface of the fuel tank at a position near the fastening member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kohei Hirano, Yusuke Inoue, Kyohei Hosoya
  • Patent number: 9944343
    Abstract: Various embodiments of side-by-side flexible adjacent vehicles, such as twin bikes, are disclosed including includes two vehicles joined together side-by-side by means of a plurality of interconnecting pivoted link bars. One or more driver riders may simultaneously or independently operate said side-by-side flexible adjacent vehicles. The side-by-side flexible twin bicycle may be configured employing different size bicycles, in-line multi-rider tandem bicycles, recumbent bicycles, mountain bicycles, and motorcycles of various types. These embodiments provide the vertical stability of a four-wheel vehicle while retaining the ability to lean into turns and ride over irregular surfaces affording for each of the riders the handling, ride and feel similar to that of a single conventional vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Inventor: Ceferino Aponte-Rivera
  • Patent number: 9944344
    Abstract: The kit for pairing two bicycles includes a rear angle member, a seat-to-seat tube member, a pair of head-to-head tube members, and a tie-bar. The rear angle is adapted to attach between chain stays of a first bicycle and a second bicycle. The seat-to-seat tube member is adapted to attach to seat posts of the first bicycle and the second bicycle. The pair of head-to-head tube members is adapted to extend between the head tubes of the first bicycle and the second bicycle. The tie-bar is adapted to attach to a fork of the first bicycle and the second bicycle in order to provide consistent steering when in use. When installed, the kit securely aligns the first bicycle parallel with the second bicycle such that both bicycles ride and move in unison.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Inventor: Frank E. Lincoln, III
  • Patent number: 9944345
    Abstract: A bicycle control device is basically provided with a mounting part, a first actuating unit, a second actuating unit and a first operating member. The first actuating unit includes a first actuating member that is connected to a first component part and a first positioning mechanism that selectively maintains a position of the first actuating member with respect to the mounting member. The second actuating unit includes a second actuating member that is connected to a second component part and a second positioning mechanism that selectively maintains a position of the second actuating member with respect to the mounting member. The first operating member is operatively coupled to the first and second actuating units to operate the first actuating unit when the first operating member is moved in a first direction and to operate the second actuating unit when the first operating member is moved in a second direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventor: Satoshi Shahana
  • Patent number: 9944346
    Abstract: A bicycle brake including a pre-assembled assembly intended to be mounted on a bicycle frame through two fastening pins is disclosed. The brake includes a first lever and a second lever each having an actuation arm and a braking arm. A support element of the first lever and second lever includes a through hole coaxial to a first rotation axis (X1) of the first lever and a through hole coaxial to a second rotation axis (X2) of the second lever. A first hollow pin is provided with a longitudinal cavity for passage of a first fastening pin of the pre-assembled assembly to the bicycle frame. A second hollow pin is provided with a longitudinal cavity for passage of a second fastening pin of said pre-assembled assembly to the bicycle frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: Campagnolo S.r.l.
    Inventor: Stefano Rosati
  • Patent number: 9944347
    Abstract: A pivotable chainring assembly for a bicycle includes a chainring and a carrier. The carrier includes an annular bearing and a pivot attachment portion. The annular bearing includes an inner race and an outer race. The outer race of the annular bearing is rotatable about a crank axis. The chainring is physically connected to and rotatably fixed relative to the outer race of the annular bearing. The inner race of the annular bearing is physically connected to and rotationally fixed relative to the pivot attachment portion. The pivot attachment portion has a pivot axis disposed a distance from the crank axis. The chainring is rotatable about the crank axis and rotatable about the pivot axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: SRAM, LLC
    Inventor: James Cooke
  • Patent number: 9944348
    Abstract: A bicycle control apparatus is provided for controlling a bicycle assist device. The bicycle control apparatus includes a controller that is configured to control an assist motor for assisting a manual drive force of a transmission with a plurality of sprockets. The controller is configured to control an output of the assist motor based on a rotational position of a sprocket of the plurality of sprockets when the transmission performs a shifting operation to switch a chain between two of the plurality of sprockets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Tsuchizawa, Shinichiro Noda, Satoshi Shahana, Makoto Usui, Yuki Kataoka